Steps to Health: NEISD stadium fare gets lightened

Updated 11:16 am, Friday, September 27, 2013

Football stadiums aren't exactly known as go-to spots for nutritious food.

And I'm not just talking about hot dogs, nachos, overpriced beer and cotton candy. It seems some stadiums try to outdo each other with over-the-top fare.

Jacksonville Jaguars fans attending games at EverBank Field, for example, can try the Two Point Conversion Burger: two half-pound burgers with cheese and fried onions, all stuffed between two grilled cheese sandwiches.

A popular item at the Green Bay Packers' Lambeau Field is the Packer Pride, a foot-long bratwurst stuffed with a hot dog, wrapped in bacon and deep-fried. (What, no cheese?)

Chowing down on junk food at sporting events is as much a tradition as waving giant foam fingers. Wholesome options are rare, but some stadiums, including some high-school fields in San Antonio, are trying to change that.

This year, North East Independent School District introduced Right Bites, an initiative to offer more healthful foods at district events. Concession stands now stock fruit cups, chicken wraps, string cheese and other items, which bear a bright orange Right Bites logo.

“North East already has a really strong wellness policy, but I realized that it didn't extend into the full school day,” said Susan Galindo, North East ISD board president. “It kind of ended at 3:30.”

The district partnered with the Metropolitan Health District, which came up with healthful snack guidelines. Mayor Julián Castro, Galindo and North East ISD superintendent Brian G. Gottardy filmed promotions for Right Bites, which have aired during football games at Blossom Athletic Center's Comalander Stadium and Heroes Stadium.

And to keep everybody happy, the concession stands kept the traditional stadium foods as well.

So far, it's worked.

“We've sold out (of Right Bites items) at every game that I know of,” Galindo said. “We're teaching our students and our families that healthy snacks are just as important as healthy meals. It's a small step, but I think it's part of a bigger answer to the problem of obesity in our city.”

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, home of the Dallas Cowboys, sells mostly typical stadium fare, along with more gourmet options, such as a green chile Kobe burger. Ticketholders in the club levels also have access to higher end foods, such as sushi.

Those looking for light fare can head to the Healthy Choices cart, stocked with fresh fruit, vegetables, string cheese and other healthful alternatives. Rice Krispies Treats somehow snuck in there, but I assure you, they do not belong.

The concession counters also offer a couple of not-so-bad items, including a grilled chicken sandwich and a black-bean veggie burger. But I spotted few customers at the Healthy Choices cart before last Sunday's Cowboys game against St. Louis, and when I ordered the veggie burger at the concession counter, the cashier wasn't even sure how to ring it up.

If you build it, will they come? When it comes to healthful food at pro sports events, that remains to be seen.